The Malaysian government today defended Australia's inclusion in the East Asia Summit, after former premier Mahathir Mohamad said it had no place in the new grouping which meets for the first time next week.

Foreign Minister Syed Hamid Albar said the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) had moved beyond a geographical definition that would have excluded Australia.

"The fact that we have invited Australia, and Australia has become part of the East Asia process, it shows very much that we are looking at different considerations, looking at the dynamics of the growth of Asean," he said.

"We are not limited to East Asia in its geographical context but we are looking at the geo-economic and political relations that will bring advantage to all the countries involved."

Non-aggression pact inked

After protracted negotiations, Australia signed a regional non-aggression pact to win an invitation to next week's summit, which is regarded by some as a precursor to a region-wide economic grouping.

But Mahathir, who long fought against Australia's inclusion in regional forums, said earlier this week that Canberra did not represent Asian views.

"Now, Australia is basically European and it has made clear to the rest of the world that it is the deputy sheriff for America," he said.

"I am afraid that knowing Asians, who are always very polite and do not like to appear to be recalcitrant, the views of Australia are likely to dominate."

Bringing together Asean and its East Asian neighbours was Mahathir's ambition during his leadership. He retired as premier two years ago but remains prominent on Malaysia's political scene.